Milwaukie, OR – In the early hours of Sunday morning, the House of Pipes smoke shop in Milwaukie, Oregon, suffered extensive damages estimated at $150,000 after a stolen car was deliberately driven through its front entrance as part of a brazen smash-and-grab burglary.
The break-in occurred around 3 a.m., when thieves used the stolen vehicle to gain rapid access to the establishment, quickly grabbing valuable products amid the chaos captured in surveillance footage. Despite the destruction, House of Pipes remains open to customers during normal business hours, though visible tire marks on the floor now serve as a stark reminder of the incident.
A Growing Target: The Impact on House of Pipes
Brock Berg, Chief Operations Officer for House of Pipes, expressed deep frustration over the incident. “Not again,” he said, describing the burglary as a big hit to the business. Berg was shocked to receive a security alert on his phone early Sunday morning but admitted that such incidents have become increasingly common.
“It scares you right away. It wakes you right up,” Berg explained to KPTV. “You check your phone and then you see what’s going on and we’re in it again.”
Over the past year and a half, House of Pipes has experienced four similar smash-and-grab attempts across different locations, marking a steep rise in criminal activity not seen in the company’s 17-year history. “It’s been the last four or five years that it’s really increased in the destructive power that they’re using to get in,” Berg said.
Why Smoke Shops Are Being Targeted
The surveillance footage reveals that thieves zoomed in on high-demand products like Geek Bars, foggers, and disposable vapes. Berg highlighted recent trends impacting availability and pricing of these items:
- High tariffs imposed on disposables have driven up costs.
- The FDA crackdown on flavored and unlicensed vape products has restricted supply.
- Many goods are getting held up at borders, making it difficult for retailers to stock up.
“With the tariffs, rising prices, and limits on the products themselves, I’m not surprised people are willing to take extreme measures,” Berg noted, emphasizing the challenging business environment.
Seeking Justice: Investigation and Public Assistance
The culprits remain at large, and authorities are actively investigating the case. The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information to come forward. Tips can be submitted by calling 503-723-4949, using the “Submit a Tip” form on the sheriff’s website, or through the ClackCo Sheriff mobile app. Reference case number 25-018968 when providing information.
What Can the Community Do?
- Stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities around local businesses.
- Support local smoke shops to help them recover from such incidents.
- Advocate for stronger security measures and law enforcement support in the area.
Have you or someone you know experienced similar crimes? What steps do you think should be taken to protect local businesses? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
